On June 4, 2019, migrant workers in Canada working for an abusive employer finally got a process for changing jobs – a right that other workers can take for granted. In order to work in Canada, non-permanent residents or citizens must have a work permit. Most migrant workers are issued what are called “closed” work …
Updates
Benefit for Children To Be Cut from OW/ODSP
We have recently learned that the Ontario government plans on eliminating a benefit that allows some parents on Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Program to feed and clothe their children. The Transition Child Benefit provides up to $230 per child per month to parents on OW or ODSP who are not eligible for the …
Public Forum: Access to Justice for All!
If you are in Toronto, please join us for a public forum on funding cuts to legal aid and community legal clinics! When: Thursday, May 16, 7:00 pm Where: Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Room 309 RSVP via Eventbrite by clicking here or via Facebook by clicking here. Community legal clinics are facing 15% funding …
Defend Disability!
In November of last year, Minister MacLeod announced her intention to change the definition of disability that her ministry uses to determine if a low-income person is eligible for ODSP benefits. This is just one of a number of other changes that were announced at that time. Minister MacLeod’s proposal would make the definition more …
Take Action! Community Legal Clinic Services Under Threat
The provincial government’s recent budget made cuts to a number of public programs and services, which will hurt low-income people in Ontario. This includes cuts to social assistance, public health, library services, prescription coverage for children and youth, public education, and many others. It also includes a massive 30% cut to legal aid funding. And …
May 1: No Worker Left Behind! / Travailleuses et travailleurs uni.e.s!
Tomorrow is International Workers Day – here’s an important call to action from our partners at the Migrant Rights Network. * Go to a May 1st action near you, take a picture of yourself with this placard and share on social media using the hashtag: #UniteAgainstRacism. * If you can’t go to an action, post a photo any way and …
Ontario Budget 2019 Announces $1 Billion in OW and ODSP Cuts
– Massive Cuts to Legal Aid Funding Also Announced – The 2019/2020 Ontario Budget was announced today, and creates even more uncertainty for people who receive benefits from the Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) system. While the Budget is short on details about changes to social assistance, it confirms many of …
Bill 66 is a step backwards for Ontario’s workers
On April 2nd, 2019 the Ontario government passed Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act. This Bill is a sweeping piece of legislation that will negatively impact on environmental, consumer, labour and public service regulations for Ontarians. For workers the proposed changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”) and the Labour Relations Act, 1995 …
File Your Taxes: New federal tax credit this year
It’s almost tax time again! For low-income Ontarians, filing your income tax return is important as you may be able to benefit from tax credits that will either increase your income or reduce the amount of taxes you have to pay. Even if you don’t owe any money, you can get refundable credits that will …
MARCH 21: #UNITEAGAINSTRACISM | CROSS-CANADA DAY OF ACTION / Journée d’Action Transcanadienne: Unissons-Nous Contre Le Racisme!
Here’s an important call to action from our partners at the Migrant Rights Network. Migrants and refugees are being forced out from their homes in unprecedented numbers globally. Here in Canada, anti-immigrant protests and racially motivated attacks are on the rise. Meanwhile, right wing politicians who use anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric are getting rewarded with …
